Stacy sets survival standard

Stacy Long took great delight in being Torquay’s nemesis once again on Tuesday, but he admits it will count for nothing if Wimbledon fail to build on that thrilling victory.

Speaking to Rob Cornell on Dons Player, Wimbledon’s match-winner at Torquay said that the Dons must repeat the commitment and desire they showed at Plainmoor when they travel to Rochdale on Saturday.

Long, who helped Ebbsfleet ruin Torquay’s trip to Wembley in the 2008 FA Trophy Final and was a part of the Stevenage side that beat the Gulls in a play-off final three years later, hopes Tuesday’s victory will also be of real significance.

“Mat Mitchel-King showed me the programme before Torquay and maybe that lodged in my mind during the game,” he said. “After that match I think they will hate me even more. But I will take any goal as long as it gives us three points. Our whole team were fantastic on the day though and you could not pick anyone out as we all gave 100 per cent.

“The back four and Neil Sullivan were excellent, even though we were disappointed to concede two goals in the end. Players put their bodies on the line and defended for their lives, which was fantastic to see. But I think that we have to go in with that attitude for every game now. If we do that then we will always have a chance.”

The Dons face another side with play-off ambitions on Saturday when they travel to Spotland Stadium and Long says Wimbledon will have to win the right to play their football.

“We have to focus on Rochdale now and put in another good performance on Saturday,” he added. “It is a dogfight when you are down at the bottom and it is going to be a battle for us in each and every game. We have to win those battles and then play our football with the talent that we have in the team. I think that nine more wins to stay up is realistic. But we should set our sights higher and if we underachieve, then it will still be enough.”

The full video interview with Stacy Long can be viewed on Dons Player.